Inter-center reproducibility of standard and advanced echocardiographic parameters in the EACVI-AFib echo registry.

Aim: we sought to test the inter-center reproducibility of 16 echo laboratories involved in the EACVI-Afib Echo Europe.

Methods: This was done on a dedicated setting of 10 patients with sinus rhythm (SR) and 10 with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), collected by the Principal Investigator. Images and loops of echo-exams were stored and made available for labs.

Bi-Caval Valve Implantation to Palliate Symptoms in a Case of Massive Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation is associated with the occurrence of right failure and increased morbidity and mortality. Transcatheter heterotopic bi-caval valve implantation might offer symptom relief in these patients that are often at prohibitive surgical risk.

Prevalence and Rate of Resolution of Left Atrial Thrombus in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Two-Center Retrospective Real-World Study.

Background And Aim: Thromboembolic events due to left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombosis are the main complication of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Although anticoagulants are effective in patients with NVAF, a minimal residual thromboembolic risk persists. Little is known about the prevalence of LAA thrombus and the rate of resolution after the recommended period of anticoagulation therapy, including vitamin K antagonists (VKA), heparin, and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs).

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma and pregnancy: a challenging clinical scenario.

A 26-weeks pregnant woman presented with progressively worsening dyspnoea and poor general conditions. Using low-dose radiation multi-imaging techniques and thoracic biopsy a primary mediastinal large B cell was diagnosed. A multidisciplinary approach identified the correct hemodynamic management, the best therapeutic strategy and the timing for delivery.

Prevalence of hypertension mediated organ damage in subjects with high-normal blood pressure without known hypertension as well as cardiovascular and kidney disease.

Purpose of our study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension mediated organ damage (HMOD) in healthy subjects with high-normal Blood Pressure (BP) comparing them with subjects with BP values that are considered normal (<130/85 mmHg) or indicative of hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg). Seven hundred fifty-five otherwise healthy subjects were included. HMOD was evaluated as pulse wave velocity (PWV), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque.

Uric acid in chronic coronary syndromes: Relationship with coronary artery disease severity and left ventricular diastolic parameter.

Background And Aims: Uric Acid (UA) has been related to the development of Cardio-Vascular (CV) events in patients affected by Chronic Coronary Syndromes (CCS). Among various hypothesis, two arise: UA may negatively act on coronary artery determining a higher degree of atherosclerotic disease, and/or on heart determining a higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction. Both the above hypothesized effects are object of our investigation.

Metabolic syndrome is related to vascular structural alterations but not to functional ones both in hypertensives and healthy subjects.

Background And Aims: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) has been related to an impairment in arterial structural and functional properties with heterogeneous results. In this paper we focused on the effects of MS on arterial carotid-femoral PWV and common carotid IMT in two different populations, one of hypertensive patients and one of healthy controls.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 816 consecutive HT and 536 healthy controls.

[Clinical and diagnostic key points of left ventricular hypertrophy in adults: insights from the ANMCO Lombardy experience].

Left ventricular hypertrophy is a common complication of different diseases. Among these, cardiac involvement of amyloidosis or Anderson-Fabry disease are often unrecognized. Early diagnosis is therefore crucial because new therapies can impact the progression of these diseases.

Update on the Organizational Aspects of Echocardiography in Italy (From Operator Training to the Report: 2007-2019): A Consensus Document by the "Società Italiana di Ecocardiografia e CardioVascular Imaging" Accreditation Area and Board 2017-2019.

In 2007, Società Italiana di Ecocardiografia e CardioVascular Imaging (SIECVI) already SIEC, published the document on the organization of echocardiography in Italy. In the years following the technological evolution, cultural and health factors have changed "the way, we do echo" as a tool for the different clinical pathways. The SIECVI Accreditation Area and Board 2017-2019 considered necessary to review and update the document in the light of innovation in the application of ultrasound for the heart disease assessment.

[ANMCO/SICI-GISE/SIC/SIECVI/SIRM Consensus document: Appropriateness of multimodality imaging in cardiovascular disease].

The complexity of cardiovascular diseases has led to an extensive use of technological instruments and the development of multimodality imaging. This extensive use of different cardiovascular imaging tests in the same patient has increased costs and waiting times.The concept of appropriateness has changed over time.

[Role of multimodality imaging in the clinical evaluation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

Sarcomeric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common cardiovascular genetic disease. Clinical evaluation and comprehensive echocardiography are crucial for the diagnosis and early evaluation of the hypertrophic phenotype, but multimodality imaging approach is often required to better define diagnosis and differential diagnosis from phenocopies. This review aims to assess the role of multimodality imaging and, in particular, advanced echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance in relation to differential diagnosis and preclinical diagnosis, identification of different phenotypes, and assessment of disease progression and risk of sudden cardiac death.

Sequencing of NOTCH1 gene in an Italian population with bicuspid aortic valve: Preliminary results from the GISSI OUTLIERS VAR study.

Background: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) formation is genetically determined, with reduced penetrance and variable expressivity. NOTCH1 is a proven candidate gene and its mutations have been found in familial and sporadic cases of BAV.

Methods: 66 BAV patients from the GISSI VAR study were genotyped for the NOTCH1 gene.

Could two-dimensional radial strain be considered as a novel tool to identify pre-clinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutation carriers?

Treatment of overt form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is often unsuccessful. Efforts are focused on a possible early identification in order to prevent or delaying the development of hypertrophy. Our aim was to find an echocardiographic marker able to distinguish mutation carriers without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) from healthy subjects.

Pulse wave velocity progression over a medium-term follow-up in hypertensives: Focus on uric acid.

The role of uric acid (UA) on the arterial stiffness progression has been evaluated only in three studies. Our aim was to evaluate its role as a possible determinant of the pulse wave velocity (PWV) progression over a 3.7 ± 0.

Medium-term effect of sublingual l-glutathione supplementation on flow-mediated dilation in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors.

Objective: Supplementation of glutathione (GSH) may be a positive strategy to improve the endogenous antioxidant defense required to counteract many acute and chronic diseases. However, the efficacy of GSH treatment seems to be closely related to type of administration, degree of absorption, and increase of its concentrations. The aim of this study was to test a new sublingual formulation of L-GSH, which enters directly the systemic circulation, to assess its efficacy on circulating biochemical markers of hepatic metabolism, lipid profile, and oxidative stress and on peripheral vascular function compared with placebo in patients with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF).

Clinical imaging in patients with fever and suspected endocarditis.

Echocardiography remains the cornerstone of the diagnostic of anatomic lesions and consequences on cardiac function caused by infective endocarditis (IE). There is now evidence that other imaging techniques are useful in reducing the number of non-conclusive diagnoses, in particular when IE is suspected on prosthetic material or devices. Besides diagnosis, cardiac imaging strongly contributes to prognostic assessment, indications for early surgery and patient follow-up.

HeartWare-HVAD for end-stage heart failure: a review of clinical experiences with ≥50 patients.

Despite the improvements in medical and surgical treatments, the incidence of end-stage heart failure (ESHF) continues to increase. Different mechanical systems have been adopted to support failing left ventricles. Among continuous-flow devices, the HeartWare-HVAD was the first to use a centrifugal pump rather than an axial one.

Late Echocardiographic Study of Aortic Valve and Aortic Root after Surgery for Type A Acute Aortic Dissection.

Objective: In case of concomitant aortic regurgitation (AR) valve, sparing operation is considered the first choice in selected patients. The aim of this retrospective clinical and echocardiographic study was to evaluate the long-term survival results of conservative approach and the determinants of recurrent AR.

Methods: From 2000 to 2011, fifty patients (median: 63 years and interquartile range: 53-72) underwent an aortic valve-sparing procedure for acute aortic dissection, and discharged alive.

Mitral periprosthetic leakage: contemporary results of surgical correction at a single centre.

Objectives: Mitral periprosthetic leakage (PPL) is a serious complication following valve replacement. Conflicting outcomes of surgical treatment have been reported in the presence of multiple previous cardiac operations and associated co-pathological conditions.

Methods: Sixty-five symptomatic patients (37 women, mean age 64.